Thailand smokers tax hike targets

Many western tourists who come to Thailand every year notice how significantly cheaper cigarettes are here than they are back home. Many a weak willed traveller has succumbed to the former habit when they realise they can buy a pack of fags for a pittance of what they’d pay back home.

The price of tabs at the counter has increased by two baht, the reason being the one percent increase in excise tax on imported cigarettes according to Achoke Rammohan, president of Philip Morris Thailand. This increase in nothing compared to what westerners are used to when it comes to tobacco prices, but the government of Thailand’s Excise Department says this increase will see an additional 3 billion baht in revenues for the government, as well as eliminate 20 million packs of cigarettes from beign smoked in Thailand this coming year.

Praphatsorn Phongphanpisal of the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly reiterated the legitimacy of the increase reported by Philip Morris but said that he felt retailers would not raise their commercial prices disproportionately in accordance with trade ethics.